Workplace Violence

Workplace Violence University of California Office of the President November 2009 Safety Meeting

Recent Cases of Campus & Workplace Violence • Reynolds, Smith, & Hill (Orlando) – Nov. 6, 2009 • Ex-Employee • UCLA - October 8, 2009 • Student Attacked with a Knife • UC Irvine – September 13, 2009 • Graduate Student’s Ex-Wife • Yale University - Sept. 8, 2009 • Graduate Student • Richmond Bridge – Aug. 11, 2009 • Toll Collector & Friend • SiPort (Santa Clara) – November 15, 2008 • CEO, Vice President, and Human Resources Manager UCOP November 2009 Safety Meeting

Workplace Violence • 3rd Leading Cause of Workplace Fatalities - 517 in 2008 • OSHA Estimates 2 Million People are Victims of Workplace Violence Every Year UCOP November 2009 Safety Meeting

What is Workplace Violence? Workplace violence is any physical assault, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the work setting…..U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) UCOP November 2009 Safety Meeting

Types of Workplace Violence • Based on Perpetrator’s Relationship to the Victim(s) and/or Place of Employment • Type I – Criminal Intent • Type II – Customer or Client • Type III – Worker-on-Worker • Type IV – Personal Relationship UCOP November 2009 Safety Meeting

UCOP Workplace Violence Prevention Guidelines • UCOP Commitment • Safe Workplace • Free From Threats & Acts of Intimidation & Violence • Prohibit Threats/Acts of Violence • Zero Tolerance • Disciplinary/Corrective Action/Possible Dismissal • UC Personnel Policies & Collective Bargaining Agreements • Certain Acts – Violation of Law UCOP November 2009 Safety Meeting

UCOP Community Responsibilities • Every UCOP Community Member Shares a Responsibility for Creating & Maintaining a Civil & Respectful Workplace • Any UCOP Employee Subject to or Witness to a Violation Workplace Violence Policy: • Encouraged to Report Violation/Incident to Next-in-Line Supervisor (Not a Party to Violation/Incident) • Any Emergency or Suspected Criminal Conduct • Immediately Reported to the Oakland/Local Police Department, Building Security, & UC Police Department UCOP November 2009 Safety Meeting

UCOP Supervisor/Management Responsibilities • Supervisors, Managers, or Administrators Receiving a Report of Intimidation, Threats, or Acts of Violence: • Take Appropriate Act to Investigate and When Appropriate, Correct the Problem • Consult with Human Resources & the UCOP Threat Management Team As Appropriate • No Employee Shall Be Retaliated Against for Truthfully Reporting Perceived Intimidation, Threats, or Acts of Violence UCOP November 2009 Safety Meeting

UCOP Threat Management Team • Team From Several Disciplines • Expertise/Training in Managing Workplace Violence • Resource for Supervisors & Department Managers • Assesses Potential or Actual Threats of Violence • Team Convenes – Department Needs Assistance or Counsel • Written Workplace Violence Prevention and Threat Management Team Guidelines Threat Management Team Guidelines UCOP November 2009 Safety Meeting

UCOP Threat Management Team Members • Employee and Labor Relations • Employee Assistance Program • Business Operations, Building Services • Office of General Counsel • UC Police • External Relations, Communications UCOP November 2009 Safety Meeting

UCOP Threat Management Team Guideline Definitions • Intimidation - An act or expression toward another person, causing the other person to reasonably fear for his/her safety or the safety of others • Threat of Violence - An act or expression that threatens mental or physical harm to person(s) or damage to property • Act of Violence - An act or expression that causes mental or physical harm to person(s), however slight, or damage to property • Workplace- All University facilities and off-campus locations where faculty, staff, or student employees are engaged in University business UCOP November 2009 Safety Meeting

Warning Signs • Erratic Work Patterns • Decline in Productivity • Substandard Work Relationships • Continual Excuses and Blame • Concentration Problems • Attendance Problems • Safety & Health Issues • Careless Health & Hygiene • Evidence of Serious Stress in Personal Life • Unusual or Changed Behavior • Depression UCOP November 2009 Safety Meeting

Steps to Take Do: • Remain Calm - Speak in Moderate Tone of Voice • Show Respect -Even When They Become Upset • Focus on Problem - Ask for Details of the Situation and Go Over Possible Solutions • Alert Co-Workers If Person May Become Violent • Report the Incident Immediately According to Established Procedures if the Situation Threatens to Get Out of Control UCOP November 2009 Safety Meeting

Steps Not to Take Don’t: • Argue or Raise Your Voice • Mimic an Angry Person’s Behavior UCOP November 2009 Safety Meeting

Guidelines for Immediate Threat • Immediate Threat - Call 9-911 • Contact Building Security • Emergencies, Perceived Emergencies, or Suspected Criminal Conduct - Immediately Report to Supervisor/Manager • Supervisor/Manager – Contact Threat Management Team Who May Contact: • Oakland Police Department (or Local Police Dept. for Off-Site Locations) • UC Police Department • Building Services/Security UCOP November 2009 Safety Meeting

UCOP Webpage Links for Workplace Violence • UCOP Guidelines for Workplace Violence Prevention: • http://hrop.ucop.edu/mgr_sup/eap/tm02.html • UCOP Threat Management Team Guidelines: • http://hrop.ucop.edu/mgr_sup/eap/threat_mngmt.html UCOP November 2009 Safety Meeting

Key Points to Remember • Workplace Violence Can Take Many Forms and Has Numerous Causes • Keep Alert to Signs of Potential Violence and Take Immediate Action When You Recognize Them • Make Sure to Follow Security Procedures and Encourage Employees to Do Likewise UCOP November 2009 Safety Meeting

Workplace Violence